Lebron James Responds to L.A. Home Being Vandalized With Racial Slur

On Wednesday, Lebron James’ primary focus should have been on preparing for the NBA Finals where his Cleveland Cavaliers are going up against the Golden State Warriors. Instead, the highly-anticipated basketball game became a subplot due to news that the NBA star’s West Los Angeles home was vandalized with a racial slur on Wednesday morning.

Neither James or his family were present at the time. During most of the year, they live in Akron, Ohio. James purchased the 9, 440-square foot home in 2015 for $20 million. It’s reported the home, which is located in the Brentwood neighborhood, was vandalized around 6:44 AM. The slur was painted on the gate and NBC News reports the slur used was the “N-word.”

The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the LAPD and officer Norma Eisenman has not confirmed if there is security footage which would help in identifying suspects.

James is one of the major athletes of today who understands the issue of racism in this country and has spoken out about it on several occasions.

During pre-NBA Finals media availability on Wednesday, the first question James was asked was about the incident at his home.

He said, “It [the incident at his home] just goes to show that racism will always be a part of the world–a part of America…Hate for African-Americans is living everyday, even though it’s concealed most of the time, even though people hide their faces, even though people will say things about you and when they see you they smile in your face. It’s alive every single day.”

James also referenced Emmett Till’s mother and how she decided to have an open casket to show the world the hate crime that killed her son.

“I think back to Emmett Till’s mom, actually…and the reason she had an open casket because she wanted to show the world what her son went through as far as a hate crime and being Black in America.”

One of the most notable quotes from James was, “No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being Black in America is tough.”

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